Fireball/Santana III
Here are two more turning 50 this month. On The Turntable will give an anniversary spin to two rockers – The program will begin with “Fireball” from Deep Purple and finish with “Santana III”.
Fireball
Fireball is the fifth studio album by Deep Purple, released July 9th, 1971. It was recorded at various times between September 1970 and June 1971. The LP became the first of the band’s three UK No. 1 albums, though it did not stay on the charts as long as its predecessor, Deep Purple in Rock. Even so, it is considered one of Deep Purple’s four indispensable albums, those being ‘In Rock’, ‘Fireball’, ‘Machine Head’ and ‘Burn’. Side one includes two of my favorites from the band; “Strange Kind Of Woman” and the hilarious “Anyone’s Daughter”
Members of the band have different opinions on this album. It was a favorite of Ian Gillian’s; Richie Blackmore stated publicly that he was not overly pleased with it and Jon Lord claimed that it “wandered aimlessly”. I have owned a copy of this LP since its release, though I believe that the album art is some of the worst ever … Best Ever Albums Dot Com considers Fireball to be the 51st best album of 1971 and the 453rd of the decade. Digital Dream Door Dot Com ranks the album 55th on its top one hundred of the year list. Side two closes with “No One Came” another of my favorite Purple tunes; I have considered Ian Gillian one of rock’s greatest vocalists and it shows on this tune.
Notable Tracks – “Anyone’s Daughter” “Strange Kind Of Woman” “Fools” “No One Came”
Santana III
Santana is the third studio album by the band Santana; released in September 1971. It was the band’s second self-titled album, it is often referred to as III or Santana III to distinguish it from the band’s 1969 debut album. There were two singles released from this lp “Everybody’s Everything” and “No One To Depend On” with is featured on side one with its 56 second intro.
Unfortunately this album undeservingly stands in the shadow of the band’s second album, ‘Abraxas’. However, it is an LP that is essential Santana …. It was also the album that brought the seventeen-year old guitarist Neal Schon to the band as a core member, he is featured on the two singles that were released. Best Ever Albums Dot Com considers Santana III to be the 57th best lp of 1971 and the 480th best of the decade … Digital Dream Door Dot Com ranks the album 36th on its top one hundred for the year. Side two opens with the albums highest charting single “Everybody’s Everything”.
Notable Tracks – “Everyone’s Everything” “No One To Depend On” “Everything’s Coming Our Way”
On The Turntable can be heard each Saturday at 6pm on 97.7/1330 The Rewind. Listen over-the-air, on line and on The Rewind App. The program is rewound Sunday mornings at 7am. Archived editions can we found on The Rewind website.